No 'fatal flaw' to justify scrapping myki, says expert

David Rood, Jason Dowling

THERE is no "fatal flaw" with myki that would justify scrapping the $1.35 billion ticketing system, according to a senior transport expert.

While myki has had been plagued by a long list of glitches, including incorrect balances and a delayed introduction to trams, there is not a system-wide problem threatening the viability of the system, according to the source who did not wish to be identified.

The number of complaints about myki and calls to the myki call centre have been trending downwards, they said.

They said while there were still issues with myki not opening all barriers at stations and with delays transferring top-ups to cards, the system was operating well overall.

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The Age reported yesterday the government was considering modifying myki instead of scrapping it all together.

The modification would include a separate ticketing system for regional transport.

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Despite Premier Ted Baillieu previously stating a decision on whether to dump, modify or keep myki would be made this week, the government's call on the trouble-plagued system will not be made until next week at the earliest.

Speaking before state cabinet, Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the government was seeking advice from the Department of Treasury and Finance on the financial implications of myki changes.

"We've got to get further information before we can make a final decision," he said.

But shadow transport spokeswoman Fiona Richardson said the Mr Baillieu's culture of review was paralysing this government.

"What they [the Coalition government] have announced is a review of a review. They have announced an another announcement. It is time that they got on with the business of government and start making decisions," she said.

But Ms Richardson would not say if Labor, which introduced the myki system, still supported the transport smartcard or whether it should be scrapped.